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Description:

Grants to San Luis Obispo County, California school districts to replace and retrofit old, high-emitting school buses. Funding is intended to reduce emissions from public school buses by switching to new, low-emitting buses, or by retrofitting them with diesel emission control systems. Additionally, funding may be used for natural gas fuel tank replacements and refueling infrastructure maintenance.

Each school district that completes the application process and has eligible buses will be ranked in accordance with the following criteria:

1. First priority will be given to retrofit projects. These projects are most cost-effective making the available funding dollars go further.
2. Once all retrofit projects have been funded, then the oldest buses (1993 and older) and dirtiest buses (two stroke engines) will be selected for replacement.
3. The high usage buses will also be given priority.
4. Special consideration will also be given to districts interested in utilizing alternative fuel buses or are currently utilizing alternative fuel buses and need funding for CNG tank replacement or infrastructure upgrades.

GrantWatch ID#:

GrantWatch ID#: 136935

Estimated Size of Grant:

Bus Replacement: Up to $165,000 ($140,000 LESBP cap + $25,000 AB 923 match) for the cost of the new replacement school bus. The cost cap is applicable to the cost of the replacement school bus only, including tax. Funding for infrastructure to support alternative fueled and hybrid-electric school buses are available in addition to the cost cap.

Bus Retrofit: Each bus may be eligible for up to $20,000 to cover the cost of the retrofit, necessary data logging and installation. Within the $20,000 retrofit funding cap funding may be allocated for infrastructure (such as additional electrical outlets) needed to accommodate active retrofit devices. This funding is separate from the $2,500 allocation for diesel particulate filter maintenance.

Fuel Tank Replacement: Each bus may be eligible for up to $20,000.

Funding to pay for improvements of deteriorating compressed natural gas fueling dispensers operated by public school districts may only request one-time funding amounts not to exceed $500 per dispenser.

Term of Contract:

The term of the Grant Agreement will be five (5) years from the date that the new school bus or other grant-funded equipment is put into service.

Eligibility:

Additional Eligibility Criteria:

Public school districts that own their ow buses are eligible to receive funding; this also includes Joint Power Authorities (JPAs) formed by several public school districts where the JPA holds ownership of the school buses.

School transportation contractors are not eligible to apply for school bus replacement funding. Also, school buses purchased by non-profit agencies, private schools, and other private companies are not eligible for funding.

Eligibility for bus replacement:

- While diesel-fueled buses are primarily targeted for replacement, gasoline-fueled buses that do not include an original-equipment catalytic converter are also eligible.
- Existing school buses to be replaced must be dismantled within 60 days of receipt of the new bus.

The eligibility criteria for existing school buses to be replaced are as follows:
- The existing school bus must be equipped with a 1993 model year or older engine. 1993 MY and older buses repowered with newer engines can also be replaced.
- The existing school bus must have a current California Highway Patrol (CHP) safety certification as outlined in the LESBP Guidelines. The period of certification must include the time a school district is awarded funding to replace the buses. The bus must also be currently registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles.
- The existing school bus must have a manufacturer’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) greater than 14,000 pounds and be equipped with a heavy-duty engine.
- Only replacement school buses will be considered for funding. Fleet expansion school buses are not eligible for funding. Diesel school buses and pre-1977 chassis model year school buses will receive funding priority for replacement. Heavy-Duty gasoline school buses that do not include an original equipment catalytic converter may be considered for replacement.

The eligibility criteria for new replacement school buses are as follows:

- The new replacement school bus must be equipped with a 2011 or newer model year dieselfueled or alternative-fuel engine that meets or exceeds the following certified emission levels: 0.20 g/bhp-hr for nitrogen oxides (NOx) and 0.01 g/bhp-hr for particulate matter (PM). Alternative-fueled school buses may be powered by natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG or propane), electricity, methanol, ethanol fuels, fuel cells or other advanced technologies that do not rely on diesel fuel and have been certified by ARB.
- The new replacement school bus must have a GVWR greater than 14,000 pounds.
- Commercially available hybrid school buses may be partially eligible for funding.
- Funding may not cover the entire cost of any new replacement bus, depending on type selected.

The eligibility criteria for school buses to be retrofitted are as follows:

- Bus must have a diesel engine of model year 1987 or newer with current CHP safety certification.
- Bus chassis 30 years or older must be inspected for soundness and serviceability prior to being deemed eligible for retrofit (see MSC # 11-27).
- Emission control device must be ARB-verified level 3. A current list of all ARB-verified devices can be accessed through the ARB web site at: http://www.arb.ca.gov/diesel/verdev/vt/cvt.htm.
- Bus must be safety certified by the CHP after device installation.
- Bus must remain in use for at least the 5 year life of the project.

The eligibility criteria for CNG fuel tank replacement projects are as follows:

- School bus must be at least 14 years old but no older than 16 years.
- Fuel tank must be within 18 months of its expiration date.
- School district must provide documentation of tank expiration dates, serial numbers, and inspection dates of tanks to be replaced.
- Bus must be safety certified by the CHP after tank replacement.
- Bus must remain in use for at least the five-year life of the project.

Recent changes to the LEBP Guidelines authorizes funding to pay for improvements of deteriorating compressed natural gas fueling dispensers operated by public school districts (see MSC#11-37). The eligibility criteria for CNG infrastructure improvement are as follows:

- Public schools that operate CNG fueling infrastructure are eligible. If a JPA has been formed and holds ownership of the buses then the JPA is eligible.
- School districts may only request one-time funding amounts not to exceed $500 per dispenser.
- School districts must provide vendor quotes for cost of repairs.

Pre-Application Information:

This program is currently accepting applications until August 31, 2017.

The application is reviewed by APCD staff upon receipt. If the application is deemed incomplete, the applicant will be notified by mail and will have the opportunity to correct and re-submit their application.

If approved, the applicant will receive a Grant Agreement by mail which must be signed by the appointed project signing authority and returned to the APCD office in San Luis Obispo, California. Once received by the APCD, the Grant Agreement will be routed for APCD management signatures and returned to the applicant by mail as a final executed Grant Agreement.

Upon receiving an executed Grant Agreement from the APCD, the applicant may purchase the new bus or equipment as authorized in the Agreement.

To receive reimbursement, the applicant must submit a Claim for Payment / Request for Reimbursement to the APCD (see requirements in Section 6 of the RFP in Supporting Document). The applicant will receive reimbursement after a complete Claim for Payment is received by the APCD with verification that the new replacement bus or other grant-funded equipment is in operation and all the program criteria have been met, including the proper destruction of the old bus, if required.